Long exposure/interval shooting

GrimWolf · 11-18-2015, 03:00 PM

I have recently been trying to do long exposure shots coupled with the interval shooting mode to get shots to make a composite star trail photo, I have been trying for an exposure time of 20-30 seconds, and the interval shooting at interval 2 seconds for multiple shots. I have been finding that most of the time the camera will only expose once and then show as interval shooting completed. I played around with different exposure times, and anything over 1 second exposure will cut down the number of times i've set it to repeat.

Can anyone tell me where I'm going wrong on the settings?

**UncleVanya** · 11-18-2015, 03:02 PM

I think the interval must contain enough time for the exposure also. So I think a 30 second exposure that you want to go off every 2 seconds needs a 32 second interval or longer.

enoeske · 11-18-2015, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by GrimWolf

I have recently been trying to do long exposure shots coupled with the interval shooting mode to get shots to make a composite star trail photo, I have been trying for an exposure time of 20-30 seconds, and the interval shooting at interval 2 seconds for multiple shots. I have been finding that most of the time the camera will only expose once and then show as interval shooting completed. I played around with different exposure times, and anything over 1 second exposure will cut down the number of times i've set it to repeat.

Can anyone tell me where I'm going wrong on the settings?

If your exposure is 30 seconds then you'll need a roughly 33 second interval. Give the camera a few seconds to process and save the data before the next shot.

GrimWolf · 11-18-2015, 03:04 PM

Thanks :-) I just twigged to the fact just as you replied lol. It's been a long day, my brain may not be working at peak performance >.<

jimr-pdx · 11-18-2015, 03:57 PM

At least you know you have a brain - I have been going in circles today so perhaps I lost the power steering pump on mine.

**interested_observer** · 11-18-2015, 05:09 PM

You can also just set continuous shooting, and let the camera body just go and take shots back to back until you stop it.

stevebrot · 11-19-2015, 09:19 AM

Remember to disable background subtract if you want short intervals between long exposures.

Steve

GrimWolf · 11-19-2015, 10:46 AM

How do I disable background subtract?

**Just1MoreDave** · 11-19-2015, 12:53 PM

Your profile says K20D and I'm not sure if you can. See what the [Custom Setting] menu allows you to do for [17. Slow Shutter Speed NR].

**Ex Finn.** · 11-19-2015, 04:34 PM

I shoot in "Hi Continuous" with a wired remote that has a toggle switch.
This StarStaX - www.starstax.net works great for post processing.
Just limit your exposure time below the dark-frame subtraction threshold.

Cheers.

GrimWolf · 11-20-2015, 12:10 AM

I need to change my profile lol. I'm on a K-S2 now.

stevebrot · 11-20-2015, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by GrimWolf

I need to change my profile lol. I'm on a K-S2 now.

Slow Shutter NR = OFF (Rec Menu - 2)

Steve

11-18-2015, 03:00 PM	#1
GrimWolf Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Albums Posts: 87	Long exposure/interval shooting I have recently been trying to do long exposure shots coupled with the interval shooting mode to get shots to make a composite star trail photo, I have been trying for an exposure time of 20-30 seconds, and the interval shooting at interval 2 seconds for multiple shots. I have been finding that most of the time the camera will only expose once and then show as interval shooting completed. I played around with different exposure times, and anything over 1 second exposure will cut down the number of times i've set it to repeat. Can anyone tell me where I'm going wrong on the settings?

11-18-2015, 03:02 PM	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	I think the interval must contain enough time for the exposure also. So I think a 30 second exposure that you want to go off every 2 seconds needs a 32 second interval or longer. Last edited by UncleVanya; 11-18-2015 at 03:14 PM.

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11-18-2015, 03:03 PM	#3
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by GrimWolf I have recently been trying to do long exposure shots coupled with the interval shooting mode to get shots to make a composite star trail photo, I have been trying for an exposure time of 20-30 seconds, and the interval shooting at interval 2 seconds for multiple shots. I have been finding that most of the time the camera will only expose once and then show as interval shooting completed. I played around with different exposure times, and anything over 1 second exposure will cut down the number of times i've set it to repeat. Can anyone tell me where I'm going wrong on the settings? If your exposure is 30 seconds then you'll need a roughly 33 second interval. Give the camera a few seconds to process and save the data before the next shot.

11-18-2015, 03:04 PM	#4
GrimWolf Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Albums Posts: 87 Original Poster	Thanks :-) I just twigged to the fact just as you replied lol. It's been a long day, my brain may not be working at peak performance >.<

11-18-2015, 03:57 PM	#5
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	At least you know you have a brain - I have been going in circles today so perhaps I lost the power steering pump on mine.

11-18-2015, 05:09 PM	#6
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	You can also just set continuous shooting, and let the camera body just go and take shots back to back until you stop it.

11-19-2015, 09:19 AM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Remember to disable background subtract if you want short intervals between long exposures. Steve

11-19-2015, 10:46 AM	#8
GrimWolf Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Albums Posts: 87 Original Poster	How do I disable background subtract?

11-19-2015, 12:53 PM	#9
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Your profile says K20D and I'm not sure if you can. See what the [Custom Setting] menu allows you to do for [17. Slow Shutter Speed NR].

11-19-2015, 04:34 PM	#10
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	I shoot in "Hi Continuous" with a wired remote that has a toggle switch. This StarStaX - www.starstax.net works great for post processing. Just limit your exposure time below the dark-frame subtraction threshold. Cheers.

11-20-2015, 12:10 AM	#11
GrimWolf Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Albums Posts: 87 Original Poster	I need to change my profile lol. I'm on a K-S2 now.

11-20-2015, 08:25 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by GrimWolf I need to change my profile lol. I'm on a K-S2 now. Slow Shutter NR = OFF (Rec Menu - 2) Steve